#1
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Vermont cycling
My wife and I just came back from a weekend trip to central Vermont.
We biked Rt 106 & 100 going through Woodstock, Reading, Tyson, and Bridgewater, and also the roads betwen Quechee, Hartland, and South Woodstock. The weather was gorgeous, and the scenery was just as spectacular as I imagined it to be. Just some random notes: - it's probably not a good idea to take road bikes off the main routes. We found out the hard way that most side roads are unpaved, and even if they are paved, they sometimes quickly become unpaved. Oddly enough, most of the maps don't differentiate between paved/unpaved roads. I guess they assume that most roads are unpaved. After spending $20 for a Delorme atlas, we found the best map to be the free "Official Vermont Attraction" state map. It appears to include the town-to-town paved roads, and accurately showed the unpaved roads. Wider tires with light treads might have some of the back roads more enjoyable. - my usually cycling routes are around the suburbs West and South West of Boston, and I'm used to seeing lots of cyclists on the road. The lack of fellow riders made some section seem much more isolated and remote than they probably are. The next time we go, I'm defintely going to carry more tools, more tubes, and a pump. We had a mini tool, two tubes, a patch kit, and four cartridges, and I was worried about flats the whole time. Probably just psychological. - we had two incidents of big guys in big trucks yelling stuff at us. I commute to work, so I'm not completely unaccustomed to getting harrassed, but it's just much more threatening when you're on a lonely stretch of road. Sort of put a damper on the blue sky and hills-and-dales view. - if you're in the area, stop into the Harpoon Brewery for some great IPA. We found out that my wife's old-fashioned rat-trap pedals can double as bottle openers. How come that never comes up in the Speedplay vs. XXX threads? Tuyen Tran |
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#2
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Vermont cycling
"Hal Jordan" wrote in message My wife and I just came back from a weekend trip to central Vermont. We biked Rt 106 & 100 going through Woodstock, Reading, Tyson, and Bridgewater, and also the roads betwen Quechee, Hartland, and South Woodstock. - it's probably not a good idea to take road bikes off the main routes. We found out the hard way that most side roads are unpaved, and even if they are paved, they sometimes quickly become unpaved. Oddly enough, most of the maps don't differentiate between paved/unpaved roads. I guess they assume that most roads are unpaved. After spending $20 for a Delorme atlas, we found the best map to be the free "Official Vermont Attraction" state map. It appears to include the town-to-town paved roads, and accurately showed the unpaved roads. Wider tires with light treads might have some of the back roads more enjoyable. You need to get a copy of the "Vermont Life Bicycle Vermont Map and Guide", printed by Green Mountain Maps and Guides, 33 Perkins Drive, Essex Junction, VT., 05452. This map is available at many of the cycling shops around the state, I got mine at Mountain Cycology in Ludlow. The map clearly shows which of the "side" roads are unpaved and includes distances between road intersections, making route planning a cinch. - if you're in the area, stop into the Harpoon Brewery for some great IPA. We found out that my wife's old-fashioned rat-trap pedals can double as bottle openers. How come that never comes up in the Speedplay vs. XXX threads? You may want to avoid cycling Rt 4 between Bridgewater Corners and West Bridgwaters (near Killington) as 1/2 mile west of the Rt 4 / Rt 100A intersection is the Long Trail Brewery. Should you happen to stop for a "Taste Test" you might find yourself getting lost on the way home, but suddenly enjoying that dirt road you just hopped on to. SB |
#3
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Pickup yellers
- we had two incidents of big guys in big trucks yelling stuff at us.
I commute to work, so I'm not completely unaccustomed to getting harrassed, but it's just much more threatening when you're on a lonely stretch of road. Sort of put a damper on the blue sky and hills-and-dales view. What is it with guys in pickups yelling at bicyclists for no reason? Is this a uniquely American phenomenen? (The yelling part, not the pickup). The only time I get yelled at from a car for no reason in Europe is to be offered encouragement (bad weather, big climb, ...). And what do the pickup guys say? I never have been able to understand it. Are these the same people who make announcements in train stations? Are they just practicing for their day job? --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.515 / Virus Database: 313 - Release Date: 01/09/2003 |
#4
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Pickup yellers
Mon, 8 Sep 2003 20:34:23 +0200,
, "trg" wrote: Are these the same people who make announcements in train stations? Likely just the same people who shout at their television sets. -- zk |
#5
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Pickup yellers
"trg" wrote:
What is it with guys in pickups yelling at bicyclists for no reason? Dogs bark. Chalo Colina |
#6
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Pickup yellers
"trg" wrote in message ...
What is it with guys in pickups yelling at bicyclists for no reason? Is this a uniquely American phenomenen? (The yelling part, not the pickup). The only time I get yelled at from a car for no reason in Europe is to be offered encouragement (bad weather, big climb, ...). Interesting. In 30 years of riding I can't recall ever being yelled at by someone in a pickup truck. Teenagers in Hondas, yes, but no pickup trucks. The folks in rural South Georgia and North Florida where I ride usually wave, using all five fingers, as they pass. Dick Durbin Tallahassee |
#8
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Pickup yellers
They are a unique species of animals called "red neck *******s", their
primary habit is in the rural south, but rapidly expanding to all areas. They are only noisy when in the company of peers, because without an audience there is no one to show off to. For the most part they are harmless as they have very small balls when it comes to backing up their actions. Their favorite gathering places are World Wrestling Federation events, stock car races, and bait houses. They are easy to identify, they dress very sloppy, don't shave often or comb their hair, can't seem to figure how to put a dirty baseball cap on their head straight. Most didn't get out of grade school because any grade number above 5 was to much for the to comprehend, beside going to school took to much time away from their fishing. I know, I've grown up with them, some are my relatives. "trg" wrote in message ... - we had two incidents of big guys in big trucks yelling stuff at us. I commute to work, so I'm not completely unaccustomed to getting harrassed, but it's just much more threatening when you're on a lonely stretch of road. Sort of put a damper on the blue sky and hills-and-dales view. What is it with guys in pickups yelling at bicyclists for no reason? Is this a uniquely American phenomenen? (The yelling part, not the pickup). The only time I get yelled at from a car for no reason in Europe is to be offered encouragement (bad weather, big climb, ...). And what do the pickup guys say? I never have been able to understand it. Are these the same people who make announcements in train stations? Are they just practicing for their day job? --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.515 / Virus Database: 313 - Release Date: 01/09/2003 |
#9
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Pickup yellers
You're fortunate. During yesterday's Watermelon Century Ride that ran
from Baldwin, FL (near Jacksonville) to Folkston, GA and back, we had more than a couple of trucks come by with guys yelling and waving one finger. To be fair, some folks did honk, wave and smile. Then again, we rode by a group of guys on their front porch shooting their guns at something. Luckily, it wasn't us. Art (Dick Durbin) wrote in message The folks in rural South Georgia and North Florida where I ride usually wave, using all five fingers, as they pass. Dick Durbin Tallahassee |
#10
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Pickup yellers
On Mon, 8 Sep 2003 20:34:23 +0200, trg wrote:
And what do the pickup guys say? I never have been able to understand it. Personally, while driving my pickup, I'd probably say "This hill is tough, want a ride?" -- Rick Onanian |
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